Ironing table



Aug. 9, 1966 H. E. KERR 3,265,020

I'RONING TABLE Filed July 26, 1965 V4 /7/ i z/ Z/ 7'\ 24 United States Patent O 3,265,020 IRQNING TABLE Howard E. Kerr, Muscatine, Iowa, assigner t H. V. Keller Mfg. Co., Muscatine, Iowa, a corporation of Minnesota Filed July 26, 1965, Ser. No. 474,771 3 Claims. (Cl. 10S- 129) This invention relates to an ironing table and more specifically to a relatively small ironing table which is adapted to be supported on an elevated support such as a table top or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved ironing table of simple and inexpensive construction, which is adapted to be supported upon an elevated support such as a table top or the like and which is especially adapted for use in confined living areas such as trailer homes, apartments, cabins, sewing rooms and the like.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved ironing table which is provided with a pair of generally U-shaped support leg structures which are swingable between erect and collapsed positions and which are attached to the table top by unique attachment means that obviates the use of spot wells and similar expensive attachment means.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the ironing table illustrated in the erect position and positioned upon an elevated support,

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional View on an enlarged scale taken approximately along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional View on an enlarged view taken approximately along line 4 4 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional View on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. l and 2 it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel table, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, `is there shown. The ironing table includes an elongate substantially at table top 11 preferably formed of a suitable rigid metal and having a continuous downturned substantially vertically extending peripheral ange 12 as best seen in FIGS. 1-3. It will be noted that the continuous peripheral flange 13 has its lower edge rolled to define a smooth generally arcuate bead 14 thereat.

It will further be noted that the table top 11 has a conventional reduced or tapered end portion and that the upper surface of the table top while being substantially flat is provided with a plurality of depressed portions 15 of the surface thereof. Each of these depressed portions 15 has an aperture 16 extending therethrough and the depressed portions and apertures permit the defusion of v heat and steam during the ironing operation whereby overheating of the metallic ironing table is avoided.

A pair of elongate longitudinally extending reinforcing rib members 17 are aixed to the under surface of the table top 11 and are disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to each other and are spaced inwardly from the continuous peripheral flange 13. These rib 'members 17, as best seen in FIG. 3 are of generally V- shaped cross-sectional configuration and each has outturned flanges 18 which are positioned against the underside of the table top 11 and are secured thereto by any suitable securing means such as spot welding or the like.

Each of the rib members 17 is provided with two pairs of notches 19 therein each pair being located adjacent one of the respective ends of each rib member. It will be noted that each notch 19 extends transversely of the associated rib member and extends upwardly from the apex thereof. It will further be noted that While one pair of notches on one of the rib members is spaced longitudinally from the other pair of notches on the same reinforcing rib, the notches comprising a pair while being spaced apart are disposed in relatively close proximity of each other. Further, each notch on one of the rib members is laterally aligned with one of the notches on the other rib member as best seen in FIG. 2.

Each of the rib members 17 is also provided with a pair of leg receiving recesses 2i) therein, which are spaced longitudinally apart and each being located between the notches 19 that constitutes one pair of such notches at the respective end portions of the rib members 17. It will be noted, as best seen in FIG. 5, that each of the recesses 20 communicates with one of the notches 19 of the associated pair and that the recesses are substantially shallower than the notches 19. Referring again to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the recesses 20 communicate with one of the notches 19 that are disposed most medially of the table top 11. One of the recesses 20 on each rib member is also disposed in lateral alignment with one of the recesses formed in the other rib member 17.

The ironing table 10 is provided with means to support the same upon an elevated support and this means includes .a pair of generally U-shaped support members 21 constructed of suitable rod stock or the like and including a bight portion 22 and a pair of leg elements 23 integrally formed therewith. The free ends of the leg elements 23 are provided with anti-skid cover elements 24 which are preferably constructed of a yieldable resilient material such as rubber or the like. It will be noted that the respective bight portions 22 of the U-shaped support members are positioned within the leg receiving recesses 20 of the reinforcing rib member 17.

Means are provided for attaching the U-shaped support members 21 t-o the table top 11 and this means includes a pair of generally channel-shaped elongate leg retaining members 25 which as seen extends transversely of the under surface of the table top 11 and which are disposed in spaced apart parallel relation with respect to each other. Each of the elongate channel shaped leg retaining members 25 includes a web portion 26 having a pair of flanges 27 integrally formed therewith and extending at right angles therefrom. It will be noted that the flanges 27 of each of the leg retaining members 2S projects into a pair of the notches 19 formed in the rib member 17.

The respective end edges 2S of the anges 27 are positioned in engaging relation with the inner surface of the peripheral liange 13 and the ends of the web portion for each leg retaining member 25 projects beyond the respective end edges of the associated flanges and is rolled into engaging relation as at 29 with the bead 14. With this particular arrangement, each of the leg retaining members is very securely anchored to the table top and is therefore incapable of movement to thereby preclude any undesirable noise associated with the striking of metal against metal. It will further be noted that the manner of attaching the bight portions in rolled engaging relation with the continuous bead 14 obviates the need of spot welding the leg retaining members to the rib members 17.

It will be noted that when the leg retaining members are secured t-o the table top 11, the bight portions of the U-shaped support members 21 are interposed between the reinforcing rib members and the leg retaining members. In the embodiment shown, these bight portions `are frictionally engaged `by the leg retaining members and the rib members 17 so that regardless of what position the U-shaped support members are in, these support members will be retained in such a position by the frictional coaction thereof with leg retaining members and rib members.

Referring now to the FIGS. 2 and 5 it will be seen that each of the leg retaining members 25 is provided with an opening 30 therein adjacent their respective ends thereof through which project the leg elements 23. Each leg retaining member is also provided with a pair of ramps or inclining grooves 31 stamped therein which communicates with the opening 30 Iand which receives the upper ends of the leg elements therein when the leg members are in the erect operative position. To this end it is pointed out that the U-shaped support members 21 are swingable between a collapsed position, as illustrated by dotted line configuration of FIG. 2, to an erect operative position as illustrated `by full line configuration of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

When the U-shaped support members are in the collasped position, it will be noted that the respective free ends of the leg members are swung towards the median portion of the table top 11 and will lie thereagainst. However, when the U-shaped support members are in the erect position, it will lbe noted that the leg elements thereof diverge downwardly with respect to each other as best seen in FIG. 5. The upper portions of the leg elements actually bear Iagainst the arcuate surfaces defined by the inclined grooves 31 of the leg retaining members when the U-shaped support members are in the erect operative position. This particular arrangement provides a very effective strong and steady support for the table top 11. In order to increase the frictional contact between the leg retaining members and the lbight portion 22 of each associated U-shaped support member, each of the leg retaining members is struck inwardly to define a generally arcuate `bight engaging friction element 32 intermediate the respective ends of each of the leg retaining members. Thus the bight portion 22 of each of the U- shaped support mem-bers is not only in frictional engagement l'adjacent each of its ends but is also in frictional engagement with the associated leg retaining elements at a median portion thereof.

In use, the ironing table 1G will -be supported upon an elevated 'support such asa table top as illustrated in FIG. 1. The U-shaped support members will be pivoted to their erect position and the table top will be substantially horizontally oriented for the ironing operation. When it is desirable to collapse the ironing board, it is merely necessary to urge the U-shaped leg members to the inoperative collapsed position against the lower surface of the table top 11 `and these U-shaped members will be retained in this collapsed position by the frictional coaction of the bight portion thereof with the rear member 17 and the leg retaining members 25.

It will be seen that the particular manner in which the U-shaped support members are attached to t-he table top requires no welding or formation of any additional attachment 'brackets or the like so that the entire assembly `operation may be very simply and inexpensively carried out.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel ironing table which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but one which functions in a more efiicient manner than any hereto known comparable device.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may `be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. An ironing table adapted to be supported on an elevated support such as a table top, said ironing table comprising an elongate substantially Hat table top structure having a continuous downturned peripheral flange integrally formed therewith, said Harige terminating in a continuous bead,

an elongate channel shaped rib member rigidly aiixed to the lower surface of said table top structure and extending longitudinally thereof, said rib member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart transverse slots therein,

a pair of channel shaped leg retaining members each including a web portion having a pair of flanges integrally formed therewith, said retaining members extending transversely of the lower surface of said table top structure and being disposed in spaced apart relation with respect to each other, each of said leg retaining members having the flanges thereof positioned within a pair of said slots in said rib member, the web portion of each said leg retaining members being bent into engaging relation with said bead to iixedly secure the leg retaining members to the table top structure,

a pair of generally U-shaped leg structures each including a bight portion having a pair of leg elements extending therefrom, the bight portion of each leg structure being disposed Within one of said leg retaining members `and said leg elements thereof projecting through openings in the associated leg retaining member, each of said leg structures being movable 'between an inoperative collapsed position disposed closely adjacent the lower surface of the table top, and an erect operative position,

and a friction element on each of said leg retaining members frictionally engaging the bight portion of one leg structure and releasably holding the same in said operative and inoperative positions.

2. An ironing table adapted to be supported on an elevated support such as a table top, said ironing table comprising an elongate substantially at table top structure having a continuous downturned peripheral ange integrally formed therewith, said ange terminatingy downwardly in a continuous bead,

an elongate channel-shaped rib member rigidly aliixed to the lower surface of said table top structure and extending longitudinally thereof, said rib member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart transverse slots therein,

-a pair -of channel shaped leg retaining members each including a web portion having :a pair of anges integrally formed therewith, said leg retaining members extending transversely of the lower surface of said table top structure and being disposed in spaced apart relation with respect to each other, each of said leg retaining members having the flanges thereof positioned within a pair of saidV slots in said rib member, the web portion of each said leg retaining members being bent into engaging relation with said bead to xedly secure the leg retaining members to the table top structure,

`a pair of generally U-shaped leg structures each including a bight portion having a pair of leg elements extending therefrom, the bight portion of each leg structure being disposed within one of said leg retaining members and said leg elements of each leg structure projecting outwardly through openings in the associated leg retaining member, each of said leg structures being movable between inoperative collapsed position against the lower surface of the table top, and an erect operative position,

each of said leg retaining members being inwardly struck intermedi-ate the ends thereof and cooperating with one of the flanges of the associated leg retaining member for frictionally engaging the bight portion of one of said leg structures for releasably holding the same in said operative and inoperative positions.

3. An ironing table adapted to be supported upon an elevated support such as a table top, said ironing table comprising,

.a pair of ,channel-shaped leg retaining members each including :a web portion having a pair of flanges integrally formed therewith, said leg retaining members extending transversely `of the lower surface of said table top structure `and being disposed in spaced apart structure being disposed within one of said leg retaining members -and the leg elements thereof project- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS relation with respect to each other, each of Said leg 982,093 1/ 1911 RUSS 10S-121 retaining members having the ilanges thereof disposed 110271479 5 1912 HPUC 10g- 119 X Within a pair of said slots in each of Said rib mem- 20 1,834,488 12/ 1931 Gllbert 10S- 129 bers, the web portion of each of said leg retaining 21078587 4/1937 Sad1-1W21f 10S-116 members 'being bent into engaging relation with said 2,406,050 8/ 1946 Tronic 108-116 bead to xedly secure the leg retaining member to 2,451,259 19/ 1948 Tronic 108--116 the top structure, 3,203,373 8/1965 Klug 10S-138 a pair of generally U-shaped leg structures each including a bight portion having a pair of leg elements extending therefrom, the bight portion of each leg 25 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN IRONING TABLE ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED ON AN ELEVATED SUPPORT SUCH AS A TABLE TOP, SAID IRONING TABLE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT TABLE TOP STRUCTURE HAVING A CONTINUOUS DOWNTURNED PERIPHERAL FLANGE INTEGRALLY FORMED THEREWITH, SAID FLANGE TERMINATING IN A CONTINUOUS BEAD, AN ELONGATE CHANNEL SHAPED RIB MEMBER RIGIDLY AFFIXED TO THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID TABLE TOP STRUCTURE AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, SAID RIB MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED APART TRANSVERSE SLOTS THEREIN, A PAIR OF CHANNEL SHAPED LEG RETAINING MEMBERS EACH INCLUDING A WEB PORTION HAVING A PAIR OF FLANGES INTEGRALLY FORMED THEREWITH, SAID RETAINING MEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID TABLE TOP STRUCTURE AND BEING DISPOSED IN SPACED APART RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, EACH OF SAID LEG RETAINING MEMBERS HAVING THE FLANGES THEREOF POSITIONED WITHIN A PAIR OF SAID SLOTS IN SAID RIB MEMBER, THE WEB PORTION OF EACH SAID LEG RETAINING MEMBERS BEING BENT INTO ENGAGING RELATION WITH SAID BEAD TO FIXEDLY SECURE THE LEG RETAINING MEMBERS TO THE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE, A PAIR OF GENERALLY U-SHAPED LEG STRUCTURES EACH INCLUDING A BIGHT PORTION HAVING A PAIR OF LEG ELEMENTS EXTENDING THEREFROM, THE BIGHT PORTION OF EACH LEG STRUCTURE BEING DISPOSED WITHIN ONE OF SAID LEG RETAINING MEMBERS AND SAID LEG ELEMENTS THEREOF PROJECTING THROUGH OPENINGS IN THE ASSOCIATED LEG RETAINING MEMBER, EACH OF SAID LEG STRUCTURES BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE COLLAPSED POSITION DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE TABLE TOP, AND AN ERECT OPERATIVE POSITION, AND A FRICTION ELEMENT ON EACH OF SAID LEG RETAINING MEMBERS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING THE BIGHT PORTIONS OF ONE LEG STRUCTURE AND RELEASABLY HOLDING THE SAME IN SAID OPERATIVE AND INOPERATIVE POSITIONS. 